Mandya: Karnataka's Agriculture Minister and Mandya district-in-charge Minister, Cheluvarayaswamy, took a dig at senior JD(S) leaders, expressing irony over their apparent loss of autonomy in announcing candidates for the Hassan and Mandya Parliamentary constituencies.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to the residence of Congress party's Mandya candidate, Venkataramane Gowda (popularly known as Star Chandru), in Bandigowda on Wednesday, Cheluvarayaswamy remarked on the current political landscape.

Highlighting the perceived misstep of aligning with the BJP, Cheluvarayaswamy suggested that JD(S) leaders have begun to realize their error. He contrasted this with the respectful treatment extended to former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy during the JD(S)-Congress alliance.

Further underscoring JD(S)'s purported dilemma, Cheluvarayaswamy pointed out the nomination of Dr. Manjunath, Devegowda's son-in-law, by the BJP in Bengaluru Rural, a move indicating a lack of confidence within JD(S). He also noted the sidelining of Vokkaliga leaders by the BJP in the old Mysuru region, exemplified by the denial of a ticket to senior leader Sadananda Gowda, the sitting MP.

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Expressing confidence in the Congress party's electoral prospects, Cheluvarayaswamy predicted victory in at least 20 seats, including Mandya, in the upcoming general elections. He highlighted the forthcoming nomination filing by their candidate Star Chandru on April 1st and attributed their optimism to the implementation of five guarantees and eight months of developmental initiatives undertaken by the Congress government in the state.

During the occasion, Congress party Mandya candidate Venkataramane Gowda (Star Chandru) was joined by several MLAs, including AB Ramesh Bandissidde Gowda, PM Narendra Swamy, P. Ravikumar Ganiga, KM Udaya, Dinesh Gooli Gowda, Marithibbe Gowda, as well as former MLAs KB Chandrasekhar, B. Prakash, HB Ramu, District Congress President CD Gangadhar, and other party leaders.

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Bengaluru: In response to the deaths of postnatal women at Ballari District Hospital, the Karnataka government has temporarily suspended the use of IV Ringer Lactate solution across the state as a precautionary measure, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced on Saturday.

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, the minister explained that doubts about the quality of the IV solution had arisen, prompting the decision. He clarified that Ringer Lactate, along with glucose solutions, has been routinely used in hospitals for years. However, out of the 192 batches supplied by the Karnataka State Drugs Logistics and Warehousing Society, concerns were raised regarding two specific batches.

"In light of these concerns, we stopped the use of all 192 batches as a precaution. Following this, the supplying company obtained a High Court order for testing, and the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) conducted an analysis. The CDL report confirmed the usability of the solution, allowing the state to form a technical committee to review and permit the use of certain batches that met quality standards. Despite this, doubts have surfaced specifically at Ballari District Hospital," the minister stated.

To address these concerns, the batches supplied to Ballari Hospital have been sent for anaerobic testing to determine whether the IV solution contributed to the deaths. The test results are expected within a week, after which a final decision on the use of IV Ringer Lactate will be made.

"Until then, we have issued directives to hospitals statewide to suspend the use of IV Ringer Lactate. Every life is important to us, and precautionary measures are essential when suspicions arise," Gundu Rao emphasised.