Naziya Angadi is the first woman to contest assembly polls from Sindagi
BIJAPUR: The ongoing Sindgi by-poll is witnessing unprecedented political development as a first ever woman candidate is making waves in the constituency, who is contesting on JD(S) ticket.
A 32-year-old Naziya Shakeel Ahmed Angadi, who has been declared as candidate of JD(S), will be the first woman ever to contest for Sindgi assembly. In the history of assembly elections of Sindgi segment no woman has ever contested MLA election from a major political party.
Naziya has become second Muslim female candidate to contest in assembly polls in the Bijapur district.
Earlier to her, Reshma Padeknur had contested in assembly polls. Interestingly, she contested on the JD(S) ticket. However she lost the election. Later, she joined the Congress.
Since the JD(S) has declared Naziya Angadi as its candidate, she is elated. As she has already filed her nomination papers, she is now hectically participating in the campaign to woo the voters for the election to be held on October 30.
Naziya Angadi, a post-graduate, said that, “I am short of words to express my joy for getting an opportunity to contest the assembly by-elections. I thank JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H D Devegowda and former CM H D Kumaraswamy for blessing me with a ticket. I just do not represent the JD(S) party but the entire women community of the Sindgi segment.”
“It is a good sign that women are getting more representation and opportunities at the highest level in politics. I not only seek support from the women but also from the men community to back me in the by-polls. If I win the by-polls I have plans to work on encouraging women education mainly in rural and minority communities, where parents prevent the girl child from getting higher education because of social issues.”
“I might not have the experience in politics but my family has a history of serving the people. Many members in my family are elected members in Gram Panchayat and Town Municipal Council. My father-in-law I B Angadi has dedicated his entire life to social work. My family has given me complete freedom and support. I am confident that I will create history in the by-polls,” stated elated Naziya.
It may be noted that in the history of politics in Bijapur hardly four women have contested the major elections so far. Vimalabai Deshmuk, representing Janata Parivar, is the first woman politician to contest the assembly elections from a major political party in 1994, who won and also served as Minister for Women and Child Welfare in J H Patel government. However, thereafter she contested many polls but couldn’t make it to the legislative assembly another time.
Lakshmibai B Gudadini is the second woman to contest a major political battle, where she representing Congress fought parliament elections but failed to win in 1999. Thereafter, Reshma Padekanur from JD(S) contested 2013 assembly elections from Devara Hipparagi but couldn’t succeed in winning the polls. Sunita Chavan, wife of JD(S) MLA Devananda Chavan, contested as an alliance candidate (Congress and JDS) in the 2019 parliament elections but lost against six-time parliamentarian Ramesh Jigajinagi.
Meanwhile, Congress has opted Ashok Managuli, son of former minister M C Managuli, as its representative and BJP is yet to announce its candidature for the by-polls.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
