Ramesh Babu, Arathi Krishna, K. Shivakumar, Jakkappanavar nominated to Karnataka Legislative Council
Bengaluru: The state government has issued an order nominating four members to the vacant positions in the Karnataka Legislative Council.
The nominees include KPCC Communication and Media Cell president Ramesh Babu, NRI Forum vice-president Dr. Arathi Krishna, senior journalist Dr. K. Shivakumar, and Dalit leader F.H. Jakkappanavar.
The vacancies arose following the completion of terms of Congress leaders U.B. Venkatesh and Prakash K. Rathod in October 2024, and JD(S) leader K.A. Tippeswamy in January 2025. Additionally, C.P. Yogeshwar resigned to contest the Channapatna bypoll, leaving another seat vacant.
Ramesh Babu, a former JD(S) MLC who later rebelled against the party’s leadership and joined the Congress, currently serves as a party spokesperson.
Dr. Arathi Krishna, daughter of senior Congress leader and former minister Begane Ramayya, has long been associated with the party. She served as the first chairperson of the KPCC NRI Cell and worked in the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. as a community development officer. She also served as an advisor at the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs’ India Development Foundation. Through her NGO, Krishna Foundation, she has worked to improve education in rural Karnataka. She holds a Master’s in Political Science from Mysore University and a Master’s in International Commerce and Public Policy from George Mason University, Washington. She has also been awarded an honorary doctorate by Kuvempu University.
Dr. K. Shivakumar, originally from Bangarpet in Kolar district, is the son of Krishnappa and Eramma. Currently the Resident Editor of The New Indian Express, he began his journalism career with Andolana daily before joining The Indian Express. He holds a Ph.D. and has had a distinguished career in journalism.
F.H. Jakkappanavar, a prominent Dalit leader, has been nominated to the Council as well. He is a trade union president and has previously served as the state president of the Congress Dalit Cell.
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Road crash in UP leaves 10 dead
Lakhimpur Kheri (UP) (PTI): Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur national highway on Monday, police said.
The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages.
Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, said all nine passengers travelling in the van and the driver were killed.
District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leading to nine casualties on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.
Circle Officer, Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh told PTI, "Efforts are on to establish the identity of other deceased persons."
The seven of the deceased have been identified as Jaideep Singh (25), Pawan (23), Sohan (21), Ram Goyal (42), Sahajram (35), Pappu (18), all residents of Bahraich district and Adnan Khan (15), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said.
Condoling the loss of lives in the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X, said, "The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families."
"I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the injured and the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured," Adityanath said on X.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak too condoled the loss of lives in the accident.
"The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families," Maurya said.
