New Karnataka BJP President and Opposition leader in firefighting mode to douse dissent
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Thursday said he is trying to win the trust of everyone and address 'minor issues' amongst some leaders, amid indications that his appointment to the post did not go down well with a section of the party.
His statement came after former Ministers V Somanna and Aravind Limbavali and MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal made no secret of their displeasure over the choice of Vijayendra as the state unit chief and Ashoka as the Leader of Opposition in the assembly.
The BJP made the two appointments earlier this month, six months after the Assembly elections in which it was routed.
Vijayendra, son of BJP veteran B S Yediyurappa, today met MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, who is also reportedly sulking, at the latter's residence and held talks.
Addressing reporters later, Vijayendra said he will take the statement of the Gokak MLA seriously. "There are small issues, which I discussed with him in a manner to make him content. I hope he was happy with the discussion".
He said he will not take the statements of the party leaders "negatively" and, as state President, will take everyone into confidence.
The BJP chief said Jarkiholi told him to work together to win maximum seats for BJP in the next Lok Sabha elections.
Jarkiholi said his aim is to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for which he will work with a missionary zeal to strengthen the party and instill enthusiasm in the activists.
"I will do my duty by winning 28 out of 28 seats (in Karnataka) in the Lok Sabha elections," Vijayendra asserted.
Jarkiholi told reporters that the lone aim is to win maximum seats for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year as his "dissatisfaction is an old issue".
Meanwhile, former Housing Minister V Somanna said he will reveal his "future course of action" after December.
Amid some speculations that he is set to join Congress, he said, "Seniors have told me not to speak up till December 6".
After losing the Assembly election from two Constituencies including Varuna in Mysuru where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah won, Somanna was aspiring for the state president's post.
Apparently dejected after he was overlooked, he said, "Politics is not a drama company and not restricted to a family or secret pacts."
He also ruled out any attempts being made by Yediyurappa to "pacify" him.
Meanwhile Yediyurappa told reporters that he will meet Somanna.
"I will meet Somanna and will take him along. He is a good organiser. We will use him to strengthen our party," the BJP stalwart said.
Striking a discordant note, Limbavali told media on Wednesday in Belagavi that some people rise due to "adjustment".
"This is an era of adjustment-- be it opposition leader or the party state president," he added.
Reacting to apparent dissent within a section of the party over the appointments, Ashoka said in a week things will be set right.
"Somanna is a senior leader. Our seniors in the party are talking to him. Today only our party state president met Ramesh Jarkiholi at his residence. One after another things are getting cleared in a week," Ashoka said.
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.
Mangaluru man creates India’s first beeswax chessboard, enters record book
Mangaluru: A unique chessboard made entirely from beeswax has earned Prajwal M, a beekeeper from Kinnigoli near Mangaluru, a place in the India Book of Records.
According to a report published by The Times of India on Wednesday, the handmade beeswax chessboard was showcased at a state-level agricultural exhibition held at the University of Agricultural Sciences (GKVK), Bengaluru, last month. The exhibit attracted widespread attention for its creativity and eco-friendly design.
"The beeswax chessboard measuring 20cm by 26cm works like any other chessboard. The only condition is that it should not be exposed to heat," as a full-time beekeeper and founder of Coastal Honey Bee Farm, I have been experimenting with various value-added products from beeswax and honey," TOI quoted Prajwal as saying.
ALSO READ: Chikkamagaluru: 22-year-old girl from Shivamogga dies of heart attack
Prajwal, who runs the Coastal Honey Bee Farm reportedly said, he has been experimenting with value-added products made from honey and beeswax. An MBA graduate, Prajwal took up beekeeping during Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the idea for the chessboard came after he won a state-level award in October, following which he was invited to display an innovative product at the GKVK exhibition.
Initially, I thought of creating a statue, but I realised it would not be possible to complete it within four days. That is when the idea of making a chessboard struck me. Later, I was told that this is the first chessboard of its kind in India, he said.
As per the report, a native of Talipadi village in Dakshina Kannada district, Prajwal is the son of Sunita and Madhava Shettigar. Apart from the chessboard, he has developed over 25 value-added products, including skincare items, kajal, dry fruit honey and other honey-based products. He is also involved in training programmes for aspiring beekeepers and conducts awareness sessions for schoolchildren.
In recognition of his efforts, Prajwal was conferred the state-level Young Beekeeper Award earlier this year. He hopes to commercially introduce the chessboard soon.
